Rina Ohsaka (SIIS'10) on March 8th, 2010We went to One World Now, GSEC and Theo Chocolate this week.
One World Now is very, very exciting, and I hope to do like One World Now in Japan. One World Now help kids to learn other countries language and progress to global leaders. Then I went to Final competition of GSEC. Finalists have each of strong and speak eloquently though they are students. On Friday, we went to Theo Chocolate factory. It was very fun and yummy.
They have many kind of chocolate, but every chocolate made by fair trade cacao. I thought Theo chocolate makes not only consumer but also producer happy!!
Tags: Rina Ohsaka, SIIS
Yamato Sasagawa on March 5th, 2010This is Yamato. I am writing my first entry now. I think I need to introduce myself because I have not met many of iLEAP members. So Let me introduce myself quickly.
I came to USA last March from Yokohama and go to Bellevue College. I am a part of business program called international business professions (IBP). Since I am really interested in business and starting my own business, I was looking for any business activity that I can get involved in, and then Tsuyoshi told me that I can volunteer at iLEAP.
Today I want to share about Tuesday’s class with you guys that we had a great guest speaker, Gail from Mackenzie-Romero Consulting http://www.mackenzie-romero.com/
Since she is a past judge and working with some investors for the University of Washington Global Social Entrepreneur Competition (GSEC), she was explaining about GSEC and talking about social business in the class. There was one book called “On Leading Change” that she recommended us to read to learn about leadership. What she wanted to tell us and want us to have is leadership. If I have to explain what leadership is, I would probably tell you that’s Gail. She is really passionate and the type of person whom you want to follow because you can tell that she is able to lead to where you want to go.
I have an interesting story of what leader is. When I was taking a leadership class at Bellevue college, our teacher asked us what is difference between leader and manager, and then said leader is whom you want to follow but manager is whom you have to follow. The most important thing to be a leader that she told us is a passion. If you have strong passion, people pay attention to you and try to understand what you think and want to do. In my opinion I also think a passion is really significant to be a leader, but more importantly we should ask ourself why we need to be a leader and want to be. If you don’t have the answer which is going to be a passion, you don’t need to be. I think making it clear why you need to be and want to be is the most important thing. If you want to be a leader, you already have a passion because you know why you want to be. I need to be a leader because I have a strong passion for what I want to do which need me to lead people. That’s why I need to be otherwise I can’t what I want to do. Leadership is one of tools to accomplish your goal and to do what you want to do. We should choose and use right tool to do so.
By the way who won the competition of lunch with Gail?
Tags: SIIS, Yamato Sasagawa
Mariko Fukuoka (SIIS'10) on March 5th, 2010
In one of my favorite books “change maker”, Nana Watanabe says about One World Now! Actually, I was impressed with their mission when I first read this, and I decided to visit them someday. I was surprised their base is Seattle, and also Britt has a contact with them. I mean I was really excited to visit their office. As a result, this was wonderful opportunity to talk with them, and I am grateful to Britt.
I belong to the organization which held an international summer camp in Japan, and they provide a similar program to children. Therefore, I had a lot of question to One World Now! They explained details to us passionately, and I could understand how they love their work.
For me, the reason why they teach Arabic and Chinese was the most impressive part of today’s talk. Especially in terms of Arabic, they said American tend to have a prejudice to Muslims after 911. They started to think youth will be able to get rid of such prejudice if youth have an opportunity to study Arabic. In fact, I have had a similar opinion for this, I strongly sympathize with this idea.
After a few years, I would like to know how their awareness will be changed.
Mariko Fukuoka (SIIS'10) on March 3rd, 2010
I have known about FareStart since I was in Japan. However, the image that I had was totally different from what I saw today.
Before I visit, I couldn’t imagine that people who haven’t cooked before serve a plate in a restaurant. I know it’s hard to get a skill in 16weeks. They need to make an extraordinary effort, but they have a passion for doing it. I saw a lot of workers in FareStart today, and each of them seems to have a very strong passion. After I visited, I realized how passion is important.
Now I believe that we can do everything that we want if we have a passion and we can overcome any challenges that we face if we have a strong passion.
Rina Ohsaka (SIIS'10) on March 3rd, 2010I went to the University of Washington Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition (GSEC）Trade Show today.
That was so exciting, because many students come here from all over the world in order to advance their social business plans.
A man of the team in this picture came from Rwanda,and others came from India or China etc.
However, sadly no japanese student is selected this final competition.
So I think Japanese students should more speak up in English and appeal to the world.
Of course me too.
So I had very very Great time,today!!
Tags: Rina Osaka, SIIS
iLEAP on March 1st, 2010iLEAP is ecstatic to formally announce the opening of four to five new Fellowship positions for our 2010 program! These Fellowships have been fully endowed by the Seattle International Foundation and target women leaders from Central America. If you or anyone you know seems a good fit for this Fellowship, please encourage them to apply! Directions are below and also can be found at: http://ileap.org/programs/fellowship/CAWL
The application can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Central America Women’s Leadership Fellowship in Seattle, Washington, USA
• Are you a community leader from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras or Guatemala?
• Are you interested in deepening your leadership skills and expanding your understanding of how to create sustainable social change?
• Are you available in September 2010 to travel to the United States, to the City of Seattle, to participate in a unique 3 month intensive training program?
• Are you a woman?
If you answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions, then you are strongly encouraged to apply for this rich opportunity!
The Central America Women’s Leadership Fellowship Program (CAWL) is a partnership between iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service and the Seattle International Foundation. iLEAP is now accepting applications for participation in a three-month intensive training in leadership and social innovation for up to FIVE (5) Central American, female, community leaders. The leadership training will take place in Seattle, Washington from September 13, 2010 to November 20, 2010. All expenses are covered. English fluency is not required—more important are conversational skills and the strong willingness to communicate with others.
Application deadline is May 1, 2010. Completed applications must be emailed to fellowship@ileap.org.
For questions about the iLEAP CAWL program, please email fellowship@ileap.org.
iLEAP on March 1st, 2010Mariko Fukuoka (SIIS'10) on February 26th, 2010Hi, I’m Mariko, who takes part in SIIS this spring.
I am a student at Keio University same as Rina. We also go to the same campus.
What a small world it is!
The first three days, we did a lot of things such as touring, shopping, coaching and of course we did a seminar. We also did a party at Britt’s house, and it was great.
I mean I’m really enjoying every day here in Seattle. I’m happy to be here.
Tags: Mariko Fukuoka, SIIS
Rina Ohsaka (SIIS'10) on February 26th, 2010hello,my name is Rina.
I go to Keio University in Japan,but since 22th on Feb., but I have studied in Seattle.
This is my first trip to USA,so I challenge to speak in English everyday!!!
I went to University of Washington and some famous spots in Seattle yesterday,and today I have first class of iLEAP. Everyday is exciting for me.
Tags: Rina Osaka, SIIS
Robert Machado on January 29th, 2010Ryoichi Kondo came to India on 20th of this month. My counsin received him on the Mumbai airport. On 22nd he came to visit my NGO at Navsari and Dediapada social Service society. He had gone to rural areas to experience the life of tribal people as well as to spend a few days with them. On 26th of Jan, he went to New Delhi by train. next day he was suppose to face an interview with Mr. Yamaza of JICA. On 31st night he is going to fly back to Japan. It was very short stay but it has enriched him.
Tags: India, Robert Machado, Ryoichi Kondo
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